AUSTIN, Texas— AUSTIN, Texas—It’s less than five months before horror and metal collide in Central Texas at the inaugural Housecore™ Horror Film Festival – the ultimate 4-day, underground fan event celebrating the twisted line where horror films and heavy metal meet. Today, festival creators – legendary metal frontman Philip Anselmo and best-selling true crime author Corey Mitchell – are excited to announce more than 30 bands that will be playing the inaugural Housecore™ Horror Film Festival.

“For a cat like myself,” Philip Anselmo says, “bringing in all of these killer bands to play the Housecore Horror Film Festival is nothing but pure pleasure. I’d like to thank all of the bands from all over the globe that are on the bill. I feel like we’ve compiled an extremely versatile line-up of established acts, as well as some killer up-and-comers. I’d also like to give a huge ‘thumbs-up’ to all of the Austin, Texas bands that will be a huge part of this crazy event, because it seems these bands fly way too far below the radar. As for what bands I’m most excited about? I don’t need to call out specific bands…just look at the list yourself and get pumped! I hope everyone who plans on attending the Housecore Horror Film Festival is digging on the band line-ups, as well as the films, like I am. Let’s have a blast!”

In addition to the powerhouse roster of bands appearing at the festival, the organizers have announced that Italy’s Goblin will perform two sets at HHFF. The already announced North American premiere of the band live-scoring Dario Argento’s seminal horror classic, Suspiria, in addition to a second night concert performance featuring classics from such landmark horror films as Dawn Of The Dead, Tenebre, Deep Red, and more. The Suspiria live score and screening will close out HHFF on Sunday, October 27th.

Down, GWAR, Goblin, Whitechapel, Repulsion, and Pig Destroyer will headline stages at two historic ATX venues, Emo’s and Antone’s. The entire event kicks off Thursday night, October 24th at the Dirty Dog bar, on fabled 6th Street in downtown Austin. That evening’s showcase of up-and-coming metal bands will serve as a badge and wristband pick-up event and will be open to the public as well.

Anticipation is mounting in the crossover worlds of horror and heavy metal for what is being hailed as a momentous event. Mitchell summed up the excitement when he added, “The line-up we have pulled together for our inaugural HHFF brings it all full circle for me. It’s been 25 years since I was booking some of the earliest underground metal shows when I booked Deadhorse, Agony Column, and Insecticide at the Riverside Dollar Cinema as an alternative to a well-established music festival that would not book metal bands back in the day. Now we’re bringing in bands on the level of Down and GWAR, and also introducing something wholly unique to the United States like Goblin — it’s mind-blowing and rewarding all at the same time. And literally right across the street from the dollar movie gig a quarter century earlier.”

“Also, the ability to showcase newer talent like Bloody Hammers, Pallbearer, and Ancient VVisdom is why I love metal — there’s always something new and exciting waiting to kick your ass. Our partner and Creative Director, Tammy Moore, who’s been promoting this genre of music in Austin for over a decade, refers to the current state of metal as ‘the redheaded step-child of the Austin music scene.’ She has turned us on to the cream of the local crop and we’re incredibly stoked to be showcasing some of the coolest metal bands from Austin for the world to finally see and appreciate.

The only thing that would make me happier would be to be able to screen around 50 horror films alongside all of this amazing music. Oh wait, we’re doing that too!!”

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After selling out of VIP badges, the Housecore™ Horror Film Festival introduces the sale of three different types of tickets: a “Combo” (Film + Music) badge; a “Music Only” wristband; and a “Film Only” wristband.

GWAR – The notorious 28-year veteran shock rockers bring their unprecedented brand of intergalactic heavy metal warfare back to Texas. Be prepared to be drenched in the bodily fluids of mutant alien cuttlefish and the blood of slaughtered politicians.

Goblin – Original members Maurizio Guarini and Claudio Simonetti close out the festival with a live score of the Dario Argento classic SUSPIRIA for the first time ever in North America. In addition, the band will play a full-fledged concert on a separate night replete with soundtrack work from such horror classics as DAWN OF THE DEAD, TENEBRE, DEEP RED, and more.

Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals – HHFF host Philip H. Anselmo plays his first Texas show with his solo project. PHA&TI’s new release Walk Through Exits Only is a lesson in brutality, violence, and chaos. The perfect band for the ultimate horror film fest.

Eyehategod – Formed by the one and only “Godfather of Southern Metal,” Jimmy Bower, and featuring vocalist Mike IX Williams, EHG came together in 1988. Regarded as sludge metal pioneers, they are one of the most highly respected bands from the NOLA metal scene.

Crowbar – New Orleans bred innovators who first gained recognition in the early 90’s after Philip Anselmo produced their self-titled album. Their influence resonates loudly in the stoner, sludge, and doom metal sub-genres.

Pig Destroyer – Influenced by thrash and sludge metal, Pig Destroyer is a grindcore band from Richmond, Virginia featuring former members of Anal Cunt and Enemy Soil. Bandleader and guitarist Scott Hull works a full-time job as an IT guy for the government, so the opportunity to catch this band live is rare indeed.

Repulsion – Do you like Carcass, Terrorizer, or Napalm Death? If so, you can thank Repulsion. One of the original pioneers of grindcore return to pummel you senseless.

Whitechapel – Deathcore from Nashville, Tennessee, Whitechapel has birthed no less than 4 albums since their inception seven years ago, two that have debuted and steamrolled through the Billboard 200 chart. Currently signed to Metal Blade Records, they blow the doors off the Housecore fest as one of our party headliners.

Goatwhore – Acid Bath and Soilent Green spawned this outfit of NOLA-based road warriors who are steadily amassing a cult following with what seems like relentless touring of late. The blackened death metal band has released no less than five records since 2000, including 2012’s Blood For The Master.

Warbeast – Housecore Records’ very own Texan thrashers, which feature Bruce Corbitt (Rigor Mortis) on vocals and Scott Shelby (Gammacide) on guitar, have been destroying the world while touring with Down, Gwar, Destruction, and many more.

Pallbearer – Arkansas metallers bring the Epicus Doomicus Metallicus in the form of 8-minute excursions that burrow down deep into dark, dank, dingy dungeons of dastardly doom. They put a lump in your throat that may be your heart pouring through your soul or a grenade lodged there by a deranged lover.

SKREW – Founded by Adam Grossman and NIN’s Danny Lohner in 1990, from the ashes of their previous band, Angkor Wat, the band’s albums, Burning In Water, Drowning In Flame and Dusted, are considered industrial metal classics. Under the guidance of Grossman, a new incarnation of the band has resurfaced in 2013, equally as powerful as the original.

Iron Reagan – Current members of Municipal Waste/Cannabis Corpse (Tony Foresta, Land Phil) and former members of Darkest Hour (Tony Burnette, Ryan Parrish) combine forces to bring back the crossover attack of D.R.I., Nuclear Assault, and English Dogs.

Bloody Hammers – North Carolina band channel Black Sabbath, Trouble, and Peter Steele with their gothic, horror infused odes to witchcraft, black magic, and the fiery pits of Hell!

Primitive Weapons – Brooklyn noise merchants are led by MANIAC Joe Spinnell lookalike and maniacal frontman David Castillo. They play a post-hardcore racket that nestles uncomfortably somewhere between Helmet and Dillinger Escape Plan.

Child Bite – Clearly, Detroit is a breeding ground for singular ability. Marauding art rock with “horror show / slasher-flick flair” is just one way to define this beast on the rise.

Hymns – Newest Housecore Records signees led by 6’ 4” 250-pound bruiser Adam Crosier, these Arkansas cats play stripped down black metal that decapitates listeners and then slices their faces off with box-cutters.

Death Will Tremble – This Austin-based hardcore metal band (formerly known as Prey For Sleep) “will rip your face off, pull your eyes out and make you thank them for the privilege of letting them do it.”

Ancient VVisdom – Austin, Texas mystical acoustic metal that channels Layne Staley in his darkest moments along with some of the most truly evil vibes ever put down on vinyl.

HeadCrusher – Austin transplants by way of South America, these natives of Columbia have stormed through the Texas metal scene, captured the attention of producer Tue Madsen, and were invited to play on 2012’s “Barge To Hell,” the first Extreme Metal Cruise, alongside the likes of Sepultura, Behemoth, Brujeria, Exodus, and more.

Dead Earth Politics – Voted “Best Metal Band” at the 2013 Austin Music Awards, knocking off perennial favorites The Sword. Their sound is an unrelenting concoction of Progressive, New American, and New Wave of Heavy Metal.

Lord Dying – Recently signed to Relapse Records, this Portland, Oregon band of doom thrashers will release Summon The Faithless on July 9th to what will surely be reviews that border on worship.

White Widows Pact – New metallic hardcore Brooklyn bad asses have released their first EP through Sacrament Music and are discharging southern sludge waves all over the East Coast.

The Black Moriah – Hailing from the Dallas – Ft. Worth Metroplex, these Blackened Thrashers, comprised of ex-Absu and Bleed The Son members, have been heavily influenced by everyone from Bathory and Darkthrone to the Misfits and Slayer. They have already crafted a unique signature in one of metal’s fastest sub-genres.

First Jason – Two-piece metal/blues/reggae rock band fronted by one Ari Lehman, also known as the actor who played Jason Voorhees in the original FRIDAY THE 13TH. Ari sports a machete key-tar and a stellar voice. He will also be introducing and doing a Q&A for the original FRIDAY THE 13TH for one of our Bloody Mary Breakfast film screenings at Antones.

blackQueen – Seattle four piece whose main artistic influence is horror director extraordinaire Dario Argento. They will be stagediving during Goblin’s set!

Goatcraft – San Antonio-based one-man corpse-painted black metal pianist provides the eerie soundtrack for horror and extreme metal fans alike. New album All For Naught is the cause of your next nightmare.

Star & Dagger – Former White Zombie bassist Sean Yseult’s newest project with Cycle Sluts From Hell’s Dava She Wolf has been described as “the perfect blend of Black Sabbath meets VALLEY OF THE DOLLS.”

Chris Vrenna – Former Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson drummer DJs a private party for the U.S. premiere of the horror anthology THE PROFANE EXHIBIT. Vrenna scores one of the segments in the film and will join directors Coffin Joe and Ryan Nicholson, as well as composer Maurizio Guarini (Goblin) in a Q&A after the film.

MORE ABOUT HOUSECORE HORROR FILM FESTIVAL

In addition to film screenings and nightly concerts, HHFF will also host several “Side Show” attractions – from zombie makeovers to suspension exhibitions to exclusive horror- and metal-centric artisans and vendors.

Filmmakers, screenwriters, producers, and actors in attendance will introduce their works and hold Q&A sessions after their screenings and will be available to the public at an outdoor celebrity signing and chat booth. Several notable authors of horror, mystery, true crime, and heavy metal will also be signing books throughout the weekend.

ABOUT COREY MITCHELL

HHFF co-founder and lead programmer Corey Mitchell is a Los Angeles Times, Amazon, and Borders International Group bestselling author of several true crime books including Hollywood Death Scenes, Dead and Buried, and Pure Murder. He was also the founder of the #1 true crime blog, In Cold Blog; former editor for the Discovery Channel’s Hollywood on Crime blog; a five-year contributor to the #1 heavy metal blog, MetalSucks, and the former horror film festival blogger for the #1 horror film website, Bloody Disgusting. Mitchell recently completed his eighth true crime book, Teach Me To Kill (Kensington, 2014), about the murder of a Texas teacher. He is currently working with Philip Anselmo on the frontman’s upcoming autobiography (Simon & Schuster, 2014).

Mitchell’s love for horror was cemented in the back of his parents’ Thunderbird station wagon at the age of five at the Telephone Road Drive-In in Houston, Texas, when he peered over their shoulders to watch CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS. He has never lost his love for all things dark and mysterious.

ABOUT PHILIP H. ANSELMO

Known globally as the over-the-top, drill sergeant-like frontman for heavy metal titans Pantera, Philip H. Anselmo is one of the most charismatic, polarizing, and mesmerizing personalities in the world of music. He is also one of the most passionate and knowledgeable fans of horror films and has a collection of 10,000 films to prove it.

Anselmo’s musical past with Pantera is well-known: brought into the Texas band’s fold at the young age of only 17, his insistence on playing a heavier style of metal led to the success of the band’s 1990 release, Cowboys From Hell, which helped to create a strong buzz with metalheads worldwide. With a combination of constant touring, an inimitable stage presence, and a controversial voice in the metal circles, Anselmo helped Pantera reach the top of the metal mountain with 1992’s classic release, Vulgar Display of Power. That album was followed by 1994’s Far Beyond Driven — the first extreme metal album to ever debut at #1 on the Billboard charts. Not content to have the #1 album in the country, Anselmo began to release albums with a plethora of side projects such as Necrophagia, Viking Crown, Superjoint Ritual, Christ Inversion, Eibon, and his other huge successful band, Down. Anselmo, with his numerous projects, has sold around 25 million albums.

Anselmo currently spends his time with Down, and his punk band Arson Anthem, running his own independent record label, Housecore Records, and rehearsing for an upcoming solo tour, including his performance at HHFF.

Anselmo’s love of horror began as a young boy when he would watch the terrifying anthology television series, Night Gallery, with his mother. He has been exposed to horror films worldwide and wants to share his passion for them with everyone.

Horror film director and rock star Rob Zombie said of Philip Anselmo and the Housecore Horror Film Festival: “Philip’s done lots of great things for heavy metal. I believe the Housecore Horror Film Festival will be great for horror!”